Cornell grad to lead state Farm Service Agency

Jim Barber, a 1979 graduate of Cornell University and long-time farmer and farm advocate, has been named by the Obama administration as the New York state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Barber, who lives in Middleburgh in Schoharie County, has been a special assistant in the state Department of Agriculture and Markets for more than two years and worked as an agriculture promotions specialist. He also owns a very successful vegetable farm in Schoharie County.

"His knowledge of the industry and the services required of USDA, as well as the challenges of doing business will be extremely useful in his new position," said Ag and Markets Commissioner Patrick Hooker. "We are pleased to have one of our own in this prestigious position and I know Jim will be a fine advocate and leader for New York farmers."

Barber also is a graduate of the second class of LEAD NY, the Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute.

He has served on NY Farms!, on the ag advisory committee for Sen. Hillary Clinton, on a committee for Farmers for Spitzer, on the external review committee for the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Science at Cornell and on the boards of directors for New York Farm Bureau and the New York State Vegetable Growers.